Hot Springs Action Task Forces

The Hot Springs Action Forum resulted in five areas to address first: Jobs & Economic Development, Community Information & Resource Coordination, Extended Community Education, Children and Youth, and Strategic Planning.

The groups have all met at least three times and are in the process of setting goals and sub-goals. The Children and Youth group has developed a questionnaire, one for adults and one for youth, to determine what areas the youth are interested in and to find adults with expertise in those areas to volunteer with the youth.

Strategic Planning invited the other task forces to an education session where a city planner explained how important it is to do the research, then more research, then tear it apart, then put it together again in order to come up with a plan that will work in whatever area they are working in.

Jobs & Economic Development started with "Who are our clients? Who are we trying to reach/help? It was noted that basic job skills are lacking in high school youth. They are contemplating a two-day workshop on job skills and hospitality training, combined with a job fair. They are also looking at entrepreneurs’ workshops and micro-loans.

The Community Information and Resource Coordination task force has obtained the most up-to-date resource guide from DSS and had it scanned so each member has a copy to work with. They plan to update and add to the guide and explore ways to reach the people who need it the most. It will be on a website, but most people in poverty don't have computers. The group is also looking at resources that could be enhanced in the community to help more people.

The Extended Community ATF has not reported.